Solar Panel Info

How to choose the right equipment for my needs.

Below is a compilation of information on solar panels, their usage and installation

DIY Solar Panel Book - How to make your own solar panels

Check out our new DIY solar panel handbook which shows you step by step how to make your own solar panels from scratch. Including an introduction to solar panels, inverters, batteries and charge controllers. With full color photos and videos.

How to choose the right equipment for my needs.

For simplicity, let's assume you have a 100 watt device that you want to power with free solar energy for 10 hours each night.

To figure out what size solar panel, batteries, charge controller and inverter you need, follow the simple steps below.

1. Calculate how much energy is needed. 100 Watts x 10 hours = 1,000 Watt hours. That is the total energy you will need.

2. Now calculate what size solar panel you will need. Based on a ten hour day of light, the calculation is simple:
1,000 Watt hours / 10 hours sunlight = 100 Watt solar panel.

The reality is that most summer days give about 15 hours of sunlight and winter you get about 4-5 hours of sunlight. Always choose the worst case scenario for
your solar panel. In this case, go with a winter day of 5 hours sunlight.
1,000 Watt hours / 5 hours sunlight = 200 Watt solar panel.